The Ambassadors (1533) is a painting by Hans Holbein the Younger in the National Gallery, London. As well as being a double portrait, the painting contains a still life of several meticulously rendered objects, the meaning of which is the cause of much debate. It is also a much-cited example of anamorphosis in painting.
The Ambassadors
The astronomical instruments on the top shelf are shown in greater detail here:
Click to see full size
The instrument on the right is a torquetum
The small instrument in the middle front is a multi-faced sundial
Any suggestions for the other instruments?
Update: A detailed article about the instruments in the painting from the Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
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And I go to look at the original as often as I can – meaning about five or six times a year. Forget the symbolism – just enjoy the painting.
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